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A brief visit of Sr. Celine Jacob, the visiting Councillor to the Province of Mary Help of Christians, Kolkata(INC)

May17

Sr. Celine Jacob, the visiting Councillor made a brief visit to the Province of Mary Help of Christians, Kolkata (INC) from 02 -13 May 2023 to acquaint herself with the sisters and the province.

On 02 May 2023, in the evening she was welcomed at the airport by provincial Sr. Leelamma Palliparambil with a bouquet of flowers.  At her arrival in the Provincial House, she was accorded a royal ‘Laudato Si’ welcome at the entrance of the house with three ‘kuthuvilkku’, ceremonial Indian lamps.  She was also offered a bouquet of flowers and was led to the chapel with the accompaniment of a dance for a moment of prayer. She was invited to light the lamp as an expression of welcome, joy and gratitude.  In the refectory, the sisters serenaded her with a lively welcome song.

Sr. Celine Jacob met the Provincial Councillors via the Google platform and brought home a number of characteristics which are required to make the community and the province a Synodal style of community.

Sr. Celine Jacob met 31 sisters from the communities of Dum Dum, Bandel, Kalyani, Barasat, Aspirantate, Monsada, Gobra and Park Circus of Kolkata zone at Auxilium, Provincial House, Dum Dum. During the meeting, she enlightened the group with knowledge about the members of the General Council and their responsibilities. In brief, she presented the outcome of General Chapter XXIV and its objectives. She invited the sisters to live and develop the Salesian charism and to live in the communities and in the mission in an innovative way by assimilating, and imbibing, the spirit of Mornese and Valdocco.

It was indeed a great opportunity for the 14 junior sisters of the province to encounter Sr. Celine Jacob, to rekindle the fire of the precious call of the Lord. During the meeting, Sr. Celine presented three short videos based on the vocation presenting God as a potter and we as clay in the hands of God. She highlighted the theme of General Chapter XXIV, its objectives and its choices. The encounter with Sr.  Celine Jacob brought joy, a sense of responsibility and the need ‘to blow the ashes and rekindle the fire of vocation’ in the sisters to love and live the vocation with commitment and enthusiasm.

Sr. Celine was given a warm and colourful welcome by the community of Auxilium, Aspirantate in the traditional style of the ‘Santals’ by the Pre- Aspirants, Aspirants and Postulants followed by a melodious and jubilant song. She had an interesting and interactive session with the Pre-Aspirants, Aspirants and Postulants.  Sr. Celine in her talk stressed much about living one’s life in joy. She compared their vocation journey with the allegory of the pearl which undergoes much pain to reach its desired state.  She encouraged the candidates to broaden their vision of what Salesian life is and encouraged them to live it with joy, enthusiasm, sacrifice, a sense of belonging, outgoing and above all to have a deep intimacy with Jesus. 

On 07 May 2023, a glamorous welcome was accorded by the Mazzarello School band of boarders and sisters and a traditional welcome at the entrance of the Sacred Heart Novitiate by the Novices. 25 Sisters from Jumaikela, Ghutiapara, Kurtumgarh and Ranchi communities interacted with Sr. Celine. She highlighted the Marian Identity of the Institute and invited the group to imitate Mary’s faith, Hope, Charity and her continuous union with God. She also spoke on the objective of the Chapter, to reawaken in us the original freshness of our vocation with enthusiasm and to rekindle the fire of love. In a very simple yet convincing manner, she also enlightened the gathering on the three indispensable choices and recommended to be in continuous formation for personal transformation, to improve our interpersonal relationships and network in the perspective of integral ecology.

The Novices had an enriching time with Sr. Celine. She gave her message through the story of a Master searching for a vessel for his use.  She then compared it to their precious gift of a vocation and how God chose them to make them strong though they are unworthy. She stressed human, emotional and spiritual maturity as well as three Salesian devotions: Holy Eucharist, Mary and the Pope. Finally, she recommended that they remain grateful to God and to all those who helped them to be worthy masterpieces of God.   

Sr. Celine Jacob also met the students of Auxilium Dum Dum, Bandel, Kalyani, Barasat, Ranchi, R.K. Puram and New Chumta where she was felicitated and offered a warm welcome. In her address, Sr. Celine Jacob shared a few words of wisdom with the students. She spoke about the importance of spiritual growth along with intellectual development in life. She also emphasized the benefits of a Salesian education, which focuses on Virtue and Knowledge.
Sr. Celine appreciated the sisters, teachers and students for their warm welcome and the students for their beautiful performance. She exhorted them to be an agent of goodness and love in society. 

Sr. Celine Jacob, during her good nights spoke about the three tables-Eucharistic table, dining table and recreation table. She also underlined the Salesian Spirituality grounded on the devotion to Eucharistic piety and highlighted the importance of having recreation to return to the original freshness based on the priority choices of GC XXIV.

Sr. Celine Jacob paid a visit to the Delhi region on 07 May 2023 and met 14 sisters from the communities of Bareilly, Najafgarh, Palam Goan, Vasant Vihar and R.K. Puram. Sr. Celine simplified and explained the core of GCXXIV dividing them into Theme: “Do whatever He tells you” Communities that generate life in the heart of contemporaneity; Objective: Awaken the original freshness of the vocational fruitfulness of the Institute and Choices: Continuous formation, walk-in synodality and integral ecology.  She also paid a flying visit to the communities of Najafgarh, Palam Gaon and Vasant Vihar.

Sr. Celine Jacob, the visiting councillor and Sr.Leelamma Palliparambil the provincial visited the community of Thecho- Kathmandu, Nepal on 09 May 2023.  Sr. Celine in her message asked the children to cultivate the virtues of charity, love, purity and obedience. With the limited time, she also visited the three centres where the sisters collaborate with the Jesuits at Jawalakhel, and with Salesians at Don Bosco Lubhu and Don Bosco Thecho.

On 10 May 2023, Sr. Celine Jacob met 15 sisters from the communities of Jaigaon, Geyzing, Mirik, Kurseong, New Chumta and Jhorahat-Nepal gathered for the meeting at Auxilium New Chumta. Sr. Celine based her talk on the post-chapter journey inviting the sisters to feel the presence of Mary who continues to walk in our houses even today. She invited the sisters to follow the example of Mary at the wedding feast of Cana to live in our communities the preventive system of reason, religion and loving-kindness. She also wished the sisters to acquire meekness and patience in the communities to resemble our Blessed Mother.  

On 11 May Sr. Celine Jacob paid a short visit to the tomb of St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata and the communities of Auxilium, Park Circus and Gobra.

On 12 May 2023, 14 animators of Kolkata, North Bengal and Odisha and 4 sisters gathered at the Auxilium Provincial House for the meeting. Sr. Celine Jacob reflected with the group on the post-chapter journey. Through short stories and down-to-earth realities, she focused on the importance of building synodal communities. She concluded the meeting by bringing forth four types of relationships that are needed to build in our communities: Intergeneration relationships, inter-cultural relationships, fraternal relationships and cordial relationships.

On the occasion of the solemnity of St. Mary Mazzarello and the conclusion of the visit of Sr. Celine Jacob, the Visiting Councilor, the solemn Holy Eucharist was held at the Provincial house chapel, Dum Dum. It was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Pauria Joseph SDB, Salesian Provincial of Kolkata and joined by the Salesians, the animators of various communities of the province, Salesian family members, religious of the neighborhood and the educating community of Auxilium Dum Dum. During the Mass Fr. Pauria highlighted the virtues of St. Mary Mazzarello and presented her as a person who was open to the grace of God to work wonders. The Eucharistic celebration was followed by honouring our co-foundress St. Mary Mazzarello and felicitating the visiting Councilor Sr. Celine Jacob.  As a final message, Sr. Celine Jacob invited everyone to be cheerful always following the example of St. Mary Mazzarello who in spite of the suffering, hardship and difficulties remained cheerful but covering it with a smile and joy.

Within a short time, Sr. Celine was able to visit 16 communities and almost all the sisters of the province accompanied by provincial Sr. Leelamma Palliparambil. The Province of Mary Help of Christians ever remains grateful to Sr. Celine Jacob, the visiting Councillor for her visit to the province and to the communities with generosity and availability and for helping the sisters to undertake an active and passionate post-chapter journey as an individual and as a community, enlightening and guiding with care and concern.

Surprise Visitors from Rome

Jan22

visitThe surprising visit of Sr. Alaide Deretti and Sr. Lucy Rose Ozhukayil, the two General Councilors brought in much joy and happiness to the two communities of Barasat. They were accompanied by Sr. Rosy Veliyan from Auxilium Dum Dum and on their arrival at Auxilium Convent, Barasat they were warmly welcomed by the sisters and boarders. The children sang a festal song in honor of Bl. Laura Vicuna whose feast is celebrated today and an Italian song to make them feel at home. They spent a few minutes of friendly chat with the sisters then they proceeded to Auxilium Aspirantate.

The Aspirants were eagerly waiting for their arrival at the gate. With an action song they welcomed them and escorted them to the chapel. Sr. Alaide spoke to them at length. She exhorted them how to be FMA missionaries of the Gospel starting from the initial stages of their formation. ‘The only thing essential is to offer our lives for the other, utilising our entire being in order to be at the service of others’, she said.

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FMA General Councillor for Youth Pastoral,  Sr. Runita Borja visits Auxilium Snehalaya

Jan21

On 20 January 2018, Sr. Runita Borja, General Councillor for Youth Pastoral visited

Auxilium Snehalaya.  It was an exciting experience for the children and for the community.  On her arrival she was given a traditional welcome and offered garland and bouquets.   She spent the evening with the children and they felicitated her with the beautiful programme.

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Visit of Sr. Vilma Tallone and Sr. Alessandra Smerelli

Oct7

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On 3rd October 2017 was a very exciting and memorable day for the inmates of Auxilium Barasat.  The community with the DB Tech students rendered a warm  welcome to    Sr. Vilma Tallone the Economer General  and Sr. Alessandra Smerelli a professor of  Economics  from Rome who teaches at Auxilium at 1.30 p.m. The Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath and the Provincial Economer Sr. Annie Thevarkunnel had accompanied them.  They were welcomed with garlands and the traditional Bengali stole at the entrance of the house.  Then they were led to the entrance of the chapel where both of them lit the natural lamp  made of  Banana stem and papaya halves   recalling the invitation of the Laduato si.  In the chapel while a hymn was intoned they placed the floating candles in the tray with rose petals  placed in a beautiful  Rangoli made of flowers and leaves to commemorate eco spirituality .  A short prayer was recited by Sr. Stella thanking God for their visit that has rejuvenated our spirit.

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After a short break they proceeded to the Mazzarello hall to witness the short cultural programme put up by the DB Tech students.  In her speech she highly appreciated this work which is relevant and appropriate for the times and asked to do it well.  She also said that Don Bosco’s work was to provide job opportunities for the unemployed young in the streets.  She also stressed on forming themselves into good human beings which is the speciality of Salesian charism.

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Visit of Most. Rev. Thomas D’souza, the archbishop of Kolkata

Apr26

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On 25th April 2017, the community of Aspirantate was blessed by the visit of His Grace Most. Rev. Thomas D’souza, the archbishop of Kolkata. It was indeed a surprise visit after the 1st profession of the sisters of Bethany. It was his maiden visit to us. He expressed his appreciation to see many candidates to work in His Kingdom with joy, enthusiasm and commitment. He exhorted the candidates to cling to the Lord in everything. He prayed with us in the chapel and blessed us with the apostolic blessings. It was indeed an enriching experience for all of us to have the Archbishop with us during this Easter season.

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ENCOUNTER WITH APOSTOLIC NUNCIO

Apr23

FMA sisters with Nuncio

On April 19, 2017 the animators of the four communities of New Delhi and Sr. Annie Thevarkunnel Provincial Economer greeted Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro, the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal at the Vatican Embassy. The encounter took place from 4.30 – 5.30 pm. The very fact of being an alumni of the Salesian Sisters made all the difference in our encounter and chat with him. His conversations made us feel that he is a lover of the FMA and their mission. He was interested in knowing about the Indian provinces and the growth of vocations. He shared with us his conviction that we are called to spread holiness. When he came to know that we are running a centre for the young at risk, he offered to give the collections of Sunday Mass in the Vatican Embassy and asked for the address of the centre. He also accepted our invitation to celebrate the Holy Mass for us on May 9, the birthday of Mother Mazzarello. After a photo with him and after receiving his apostolic blessings, we came back home by 6 pm.

Visit to BITM by the  students of Auxilium Convent School, Dum Dum

Dec9

 

On the 26th November, 2016 the students of Class VIII of Auxilium Convent School, Dum Dum were privileged to visit the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum as an educational trip. Early morning at 8:00 on Saturday the students of class VIII assembled near the stage as Principal Sr. Esther gave us instructions before our departure. We prayed and boarded the buses allotted for the respective classes. It was a fun ride to the Birla Museum through the lanes and sprawling roads of Kolkata. Finally, we arrived at our destination. It was a large building, surrounded by greenery and on the concrete banner to the entrance of the large compound were the words, “Birla Industries and Technological Museum”. fb_img_1480605600606

Excited we got down from our buses and headed to the building in a queue. We reached the first floor and all of us were amazed to see the various scientific exhibits like- the obedient ball, the frozen shadow, amazing mirror etc. next we went to the other section of the building to see the exhibits on electricity and were guided to a hall where we saw a 3D show, “The Lost World” followed by different exhibits on biotechnology, Mathematics, etc. We were then guided by the authorities to an auditorium to witness a science show. The show was the best part of the excursion. The experiments which were performed were really a feast for the eyes. It was presented in two halves- first the’ Fire-y Tale’ show which included experiments like the dancing flames, fire in water etc. the second half ‘The Bubble Show’ was performed after a break which seemed like a picnic as we feasted on the dishes brought by us. ‘The Bubble Show’ was really a learning experience where the performer showed us the largest bubble and today it is in the Guinness World Record. After the show, we were really awestruck. We went to the coal mine replica which gave us the feeling of real coal mine workers at work, the sound of machines and it enthralled us. The trip will always be in our memory as the excursion not only provided us enjoyment but also vast expanses of Knowledge as we were introduced to some of the deepest parts of technology through the experiments and exhibits displayed there. We will always cherish the memory of this visit.

   Visit to Bridha Ashram –Kathmandu

Sep17

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On 06 September the boarders and the sisters visited the old age home at Pashupati, Kathmandu. We arrived safely. We had a view of the old age home at Pushpati. It was a pathetic scene to see more than 200 hundred old men and women who are totally depend on others. It was founded by Mother Teresa but later the Government took over and now it is under the Administration of Nepal government. Two Missionary Sisters of Charity have generously offered themselves to serve these rejected people. We were glad to meet the Sisters and get sufficient information about them. Some of the boarders courageously moved to mingle with them and others were busy entertaining them with songs. They enjoyed the company of the children and sisters. Before we left the place Sr. Superior was happy to offer them  a carton of biscuits .Then we proceeded to another old age home known as “Shanti Bhawan” run by the Missionaries of Charity. We were happy to see this group of people well cared for by the  MC nuns. As soon we reached the old people came to meet us from their cells. They were very excited and some of them began to dance with us. We entertained them with songs and our presence. We presented a carton of biscuits for them. We hope that our presence made some difference in their life.Visit.JPG

The Sisters took us to their convent at Mitrapark. We spent some time with them. The MC Sisters were happy with our visit. It was a memorable day for us. We cherish these moments as we recall the words of Jesus, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brother you do unto me”.

An Auspicious Day at Auxilium Snehalaya

Jun22

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On 16th June 2016 was an auspicious day for sisters and children of Snehalaya. All of them were excited to welcome Provincial Sr. Rose Ezarath and all the provincial councilors. The children of Snehalaya welcomed the sisters with garlands, cards, a short programme and by sharing the report of Snehalaya.

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All the sisters appreciated the talents of the children and congratulated them. Provincial Sr. Rose and Sisters exhorted the children to pray, to do good deeds and to give their hundred percent in their studies, to respect and listen to the elders and learn many things for life. They told them to help one another and achieve their goal so that in return they too may be able to help the poor and abandon.  Sisters expressed that their only desire to see all of them doing well in their life. At the end sisters and children of Snehalaya thanked Mother Provincial and sisters for their support.

 

 

Visit of Rector Major Rev. Fr. Angel Fernandes Artime – Ranchi

Oct9

The Salesian family at Ranchi was happy to welcome the 10th successor of Don Bosco Rev. Fr. Angel Fernandes Artime at Don Bosco School Kokar on 2nd October 2015.DSCN1528

The sisters of  Mazzarello Convent  together with 75 students went to eyewitness this occasion. The celebration began with the traditional welcome of Chotanagpur.  Rector Major in his homily said that we are all created by God for a definite purpose and it needs to be accomplished by the individual. He exhorted the assembly to be always cheerful, thus radiating the joy of Christ to everyone we meet.DSCN1531

After the Holy Eucharist the young people interacted with the Rector Major. He in his simplicity vividly answered all their queries. Every answer was marked with the note of practicality and genuineness and also it was a kind of guide lines for everyone especially the young people who are striving to situate with the fast changing world, and who are confused in deciding their future.

DSCN1547The cultural programme added colour to the day’s celebration. The children from Mazzarello Convent School performed a Marati folk dance inviting everyone to announce the message of Christ. Rector Major in concluding talk thanked everyone and appreciated the multi culture of India. Finally he stole the stage with his presentation of a Spanish song.DSCN1565